CVE-2026-77179 Docker Sandboxes guest can write arbitrary macOS host files via a symlink in the virtio-fs stored-path fallback
A malicious guest in Docker Sandboxes on macOS can escape the shared workspace via symlink manipulation to read or modify arbitrary host files and potentially execute code.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-77179?
CVE-2026-77179 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in Docker Sandboxes, published on 15 Sep 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
On macOS, the virtio-fs host server used by Docker Sandboxes improperly follows symlinks when reopening an unlinked file from a stored path. A malicious guest can replace a parent directory with a symlink, escape the shared workspace, and read or modify arbitrary host files as the VMM user, potentially achieving host code execution.
Weakness: CWE-59
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-77179?
How do I fix CVE-2026-77179?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-77179 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-77179 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-77179 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-4x2g-7mfh-8rx6.